Called the “Emperor of All Maladies.” there’s little doubt that a cancer diagnosis throws life completely out of control. Unfortunately, this chaos creates vulnerabilities that can and have been exploited. It is tempting to believe the idea that if you control your thoughts and make them positive, you can control cancer. However research doesn’t support this myth!
Contrary to what you have heard in the media, there is no scientific evidence supporting the popular myth that positive thinking or a “positive attitude” cures, slows the progression of, or extends the life of people diagnosed with cancer.
Research On Positive Thinking And Cancer
This “positive psychology” premise has been studied. For example, in 2004 a study compared survival rates of lung cancer patients. These patients completed a survey of optimism before and after participating in a clinical trial. Penelope Schofield, lead researcher states,
“There was no evidence that a high level of optimism prior to treatment enhanced survival in patients with NSCLC (non small cell lung carcinoma). Encouraging patients to “be positive” only may add to the burden of having cancer while providing little benefit, at least in patients with NSCLC.”
Likewise in a 2007 study of 1000 people with head and neck cancers, the researchers found “no support for the hypothesis that negative emotional well-being predicts poorer survival.”
The Fighting Spirit?
A well-researched review of the literature examined some of the most popular claims of positive 
psychology including that a “fighting spirit” will slow cancer and extend life.
It is difficult to find discussion of cancer in the media that doesn’t use terms like “fighting” cancer or “winning (or losing) the battle.” The “Fighting Spirit” in positive psychology research takes the view that cancer is a challenge to be overcome.
One study looked at 578 women diagnosed with stage I or stage II breast cancer who were assessed on “fighting spirit” at between 4 and 12 weeks post diagnosis. Five and 10 years later, their health status was evaluated. The research author wrote,
“The data confirm that there is no benefit to survival of a fighting spirit beyond 5 years post-diagnosis. This is an important result as it may help to remove any continuing feelings of guilt or sense of blame for breast cancer relapse from those women who worry because they cannot always maintain a fighting spirit or a positive attitude.”
Scientific research supporting the idea that positive thinking boosts the immune system is also difficult to find. Neither standardized definitions nor scales exist to measure the impact of “finding benefit” from one’s cancer and prolonged survival of cancer.
Taking a Stand
The American Cancer Society starts their rebuttal of the positive thinking myth with the question of a woman with cancer:
“Is having a positive attitude important in fighting the cancer? My friends say it is, but I feel sad and discouraged.”
As the American Cancer Society responds:
“In recent years, much attention has been paid to the importance of having a positive attitude. Some people go so far as to suggest that such an attitude will stop the cancer from growing or prevent death. Patients are even told that they will never beat the cancer if they don’t stop feeling sad, bad, depressed, or other so-called ‘negative’ feelings. This kind of message is destructive to people who are dealing with cancer and recurrence. They are fighting for their lives and then are told they are responsible for causing their own illness. And, to make matters worse, they may feel as if they aren’t supposed to grieve or feel sad over the new hardships and major changes in their lives. Please do not allow others’ misguided attempts to encourage positive thinking to place the burden of your cancer on you. That is not accurate, and it’s not fair to you.”
Enforcing Silence About Feelings
Fear drives the continuation of this myth. Fear of chronic disease and fear of cancer perpetuates this problem in our society. The result is enforced silence.
Denying feelings in the name of ‘being positive’ is not the answer to managing chronic illnesses. This norm is totally unrealistic and unhealthy. Being positive does not protect one from illness. Being negative does not cause chronic illnesses and cancer. Stuffing feelings and forcing others to do so helps no one.
Exposure to this myth may lead people whose cancer is not responding to treatment to feel as though it is their fault. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Barbara Ehrenreich wrote eloquently about her experience of having breast cancer in the milieu of positivity this way
“Breast cancer…gave me, …a very personal, agonizing encounter with an ideological force in American culture that I had not been aware of before – one that encourages us to deny reality, submit cheerfully to misfortune and blame only ourselves for our fate.”
The Importance of Allowing and Sharing Real Feelings
Communicating sadness, distress or fear of the unknown is healthy, 
positive behavior. Tori Tomalia, a mother of three living with stage 4 lung cancer wrote about the “positive thinking” encumbrance. In her post she reminds us that children play to work out fears. Imagine a group of five year olds…
The little girls, holding their baby dolls, scrambled onto the sofa. “Lift you feet” one girl says, “the flood is coming.” They scream and raise their feet. “Do you hear that sound? It’s the wind…a tornado.” More cries of fear issue from the girls as they hold tight to their dolls.
This vignette is an example of a type of playing called ‘dramatic play.’ An important part of cognitive and emotional development, children actually play out negative, difficult and sometimes terrible fears. By playing out the uncertainties of life, they are able to face and take control of terrors. Being with that which is scary is healing.
Fortunately children are not chided as “negative” for this kind of play.
Tori starts her post, “I may get some static for this post, but I think that there is too much pressure on cancer patients to stay upbeat and cheerful all the time, dancing through treatments and smiling during scans.”
Adults with serious chronic diseases are being told they brought their conditions on themselves through “negativity.” It is time to challenge this hogwash for what it truly is: victim-blaming and transferring fear.
Conclusion
This post is not about raining on your parade or crushing hope. It is about removing the millstone of “positivity” from people who have cancer. Since there is research that stress impacts health, perhaps eliminating the burden of always being positive will reduce stress. Let’s hope so. Because, no matter how you feel—negative, positive or in between–it is healthy and positive just to feel it!
Thank you! I truly do feel better knowing I’m not alone and not expected to be “so positive”. The uncertainty of Recurrent Melanoma is EXaCTLY why it’s impossible to remain forever optimistic! It’s the nature of the disease to be unsure, afraid and concerned.
I was incredibly positive on the outside…guilty! I got really tired of hearing what a great attitude, how wonderful I was and how I was going to beat this. I really just wanted to tell everyone how much it SUCKED,how crappy I felt and how worried I was, but I didn’t just smiled and carried on.
Amen. There is too much pressure on being positive and not enough research on things that can actually help. I think those pushing the positivity are the ones afraid to face the reality of the situation and I’m glad someone finally called BS on this myth.
Your blog was depressing. Just as depressing as most oncologist. All doom and gloom. You lose the fight when you decide to give up on life. It really saddens me to read this and some of the comments as well. I chose positive thinking and trust in my faith. I don’t care if anyone thinks it’s a myth. I know how it makes me feel and I chose joy. I’m so sorry that you feel this way it hurts my heart. Praying for each and every one that commented on this post. God bless
I disagree. Attiutude matters and all my doctors agree with that. I have read numerous studies that point to that and laughter is also healing. If I let bad thoughts feel my mind I believe I wouldn’t still be alive today. Plus a good attitude is contagious and it inpires hope and love. What you focus on expands!
Good for you I agree. Worrying does nothing but cause stress and each day has new worries. Did anyone ever get a bill paid or stop being sick after worrying about it! Being positive is taking each day and try to find the best of it. It also doesn’t hurt to ask God to listen to your prayers, since he made us I know he can fix us if it’s his will. I have had cancer just keep moving from one place to another for five and a half years, and I haven’t been sick in all this time. I don’t think it’s luck but I do think it’s being positive and having Faith.
I agree. I find this article unnecessarily negative. It would have been better to say nothing!
I have had people tell me ridiculous things like I can beat stage 4 cancer by just “being positive.” Hogwash! I know the facts of my disease.
On the other hand, knowing my life is short, why should I waste my time left being miserable? Much better to enjoy the time left, whether it is months or years (and I’m hoping for years).
I see myself as a realist. The right kind of being positive can help you enjoy life, but it will not add time or cure.
I totally agree with you. I was diagnosed with terminal cancer in June 2020 and while I was shocked, I was very surprised by the number of people who were saying my oncologist shouldn’t be so negative! I could never understand why so many friends and family thought this expert should withhold information from me. I got busy and arranged all my affairs, retired from work and now I meet up with friends who understand my situation and I’m gradually doing a little bit more. I’m not overly religious but I believe in a power beyond this life and pray to my late husband regularly. I’ve been luck how things turned out apart from the diagnosis and I have 6 lovely grandchildren whom I adore and treasure everyday I have with them.
I agree that many times people are told to be positive and there is too much emphasis on “fighting” the cancer, as if those who die from the disease didn’t fight hard enough. Very insulting!
However, I happen to be a person who hasn’t been devastated by my cancer diagnosis and treatment and I don’t feel worried about a recurrence (my chances of recurrence are low). I’ve received quite a bit of annoying “advice” from various people (who don’t know me very well) who seem to assume that I’m just hiding my true feelings or that I’m in denial. There is nothing unhealthy with worry and fear when diagnosed with cancer, and there is nothing unhealthy with positivity, either. Some of us deal with it and move on, regardless of what some people may think.
Don’t you think that when we are sick whether cancer or not, isn’t it better to stay positive than negative? Stay positive may not heal our sicknesses but at least we don’t lament or start a blame culture. Instead, by staying positive, we will continue to seek healing and not give up. Positive behavior plays an important in our daily lives and in our well being. My penny of thoughts and no hard feelings. An article to share: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-157062/Cancer-patients-positive-thinking-trial.html
Hi Esther, Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Kathleen
There are many ‘negative’ thinkers surviving cancer & many ‘positive’ thinkers unfortunately dead either through cancer or the treatment. Surely we have learned by now that cancer is hugely complicated? So many factors impact upon our health. It’s fear that fosters simplistic and/or superstitious accounts. We used to say similar things about TB till we cured it.
Positivity is another way of saying, “I have tried to make the best decision and continue to live the gratitude . I trust and have no doubts.
The corollary is one with no trust only has doubts.
I have no illusions that my thinking can cure my ills. My cold is not cured by positive thinking. My stuffed nose remains no matter what I think. It is the same with any health problem, cancer ,heart failure, or colds. My body is a biological process. My positive thoughts allow me to focus on what I can do and enjoy while my body heals. Those that die from cancer are not guilty of bad attitudes. Their bodies just didn’t heal. It could have been me. A positive outlook can help the mind survive when the body is not healthy. But it doesn’t cure anything. Just my two cents.
The last thing sick people need is the pressure to think positive thoughts!
I found this article very reassuring and am glad there is research to back up positivity does not impact survival. At least I’ll sleep better tonight. I try to be positive but alone at night I doubt, I cry, and I suffer. I wondered am I causing this to be worse. No doubt stress can negatively impact the body. Sometimes I wonder if being positive is more for the people around me than me. There is comfort in knowing.
I find being positive valuable to me in terms of overall attitude and it helps keep my wife’s spirits up and positive too. There is a positivity loop.
I find being positive is good for me and especially true for my wife. It is a positivity loop that works for her and my circle of friends and relatives .
I find being positive is good for me and especially true for my wife. It is a positivity loop that works for her and my circle of friends and relatives .